WEST Yorkshire’s police service has been rated as one of the best in the country.

The force was graded ‘outstanding’ in four areas by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.

It was found to be ‘good’ across four further categories, and ‘adequate’ in the remaining two.

In his report, Andy Cooke – Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary – said: “I congratulate West Yorkshire Police on its excellent performance in keeping people safe and reducing crime.

“Grading the force as outstanding in four areas of policing properly reflects its high level of performance in a challenging policing environment.”

John Robins, West Yorkshire’s Chief Constable, said the report was the best in the force’s history.

He added: “It is all the more impressive considering we are one of the largest and most complex police force areas in the UK and we also hold more national and regional responsibilities than any other force in the country.

“The women and men of West Yorkshire Police deserve the credit for this outstanding performance. It is the police officers, staff and volunteers who day in, day out are delivering the best possible service they can to victims, witnesses and all those who need our help. They do this whilst under significant financial, resourcing and demand pressures.”

The inspectorate rated the force as outstanding at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, treating the public with fairness and respect, disrupting serious and organised crime and providing value for money.

It was graded good for how it responds to the public, protecting vulnerable people, managing offenders and suspects and supporting its workforce.

Its call handling and deployment processes were ‘adequate’ and it effectively pursued offenders and suspects to protect the public from harm.

The report is welcomed by West Yorkshire’s mayor, Tracy Brabin, and the deputy mayor for policing and crime, Alison Lowe.

Ms Brabin said: “I am really pleased to see that the hard work of West Yorkshire Police officers and staff has been further recognised with this latest independent assessment report, which highlights the key work in disrupting serious organised crime and treating the public with fairness and respect.”

Ms Lowe said: “I am delighted at the progress that has been made, especially in areas such as investigating crime which was rated as ‘requires improvement’ during the last inspection in 2019 and is now rated as ‘adequate’.

“We want to keep people safe and tackle criminality in all its forms and we are reassured by the positive aspects of this report.”